Soccer-Catalan Pique jeered by fans at Spain training session

MADRID, Oct 2 (Reuters) - Barcelona’s Catalan defender Gerard Pique was targeted by angry Spain fans on Monday as he took part in an open training session with the national team the day after the illegal Catalonia independence referendum.

Centre-back Pique, who voted in the referendum and has criticised police violence against voters which resulted in hundreds of injuries, has long been targeted by Spain fans but Monday’s barrage of insults was particularly severe.

Spain supporters at the Las Rozas training facility in Madrid jeered, whistled and chanted at Pique to leave the team, who are preparing for two World Cup qualifiers, brandishing banners carrying insults aimed at him.

Spanish media reported that police confiscated some of the banners, including one which described Pique as “sickening”.

Pique, 30, said on Sunday he would leave the national team if asked to by coach Julen Lopetegui or the RFEF (Spanish FA).

He has already announced that he will retire from international duty after the 2018 World Cup in Russia, having grown tired of being criticised by Spain supporters.

Pique has played 91 times for his country and was a member of the squad that won the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championship.

Group G leaders Spain, three points clear of second-placed Italy, are aiming to seal a place at the finals in qualifiers at home to Albania on Oct. 6 and away to Israel three days later. (Editing by Ken Ferris)